Retiree Health Insurance

As long as you have met the SMU eligibility requirements at retirement - at least age 60 and at least 10 years of SMU employment, you and your spouse or same sex domestic partner will have access to retiree medical insurance - either through BCBSTX or Emeriti, depending on your age and age of your spouse or domestic partner.

  • If you and your spouse/domestic partner are age 65 or older when you retire, you may both enroll in the Emeriti Plan.
     
  • If you are age 65 or older when you retire, but your spouse/domestic partner is under 65, you will enroll in the Emeriti Plan and your spouse/domestic partner will remain in the BCBSTX plan until they reach age 65.
     
  • If your spouse/domestic partner is age 65 or older at the time you retire, but you have not yet reached age 65, you and your spouse/domestic partner will remain in the BCBSTX plan.  When you reach 65, you will both have an opportunity to enroll in the Emeriti Plan.

SMU Premium Subsidy

As long as you have met the retirement criteria addressed above, and you were enrolled in the SMU Medical Plan during the consecutive 5-year period prior to your retirement, SMU will pay a portion of your medical premiums.  This applies to your spouse or domestic partner as well, even if he/she was not enrolled in an SMU Medical plan during the 5-year period.

The amount paid by SMU is based on whether you and/or your spouse or domestic partner are enrolled in the Emeriti Health Insurance Plan or the BCBSTX plan.

  • While enrolled in the BCBSTX Plan, the 2011 SMU premium subsidy will be 55% of the applicable monthly premium.
     
  • While enrolled in the Emeriti Health Plan, the 2011 SMU monthly premium subsidy will be:
    • $120 (age 65 - 69)
    • $145 (age 70 - 74)
    • $165 (age 75+)
    • In the year 2023, SMU's premium subsidy will be frozen at the subsidy amount in effect in 2023.

What If I Meet the Age and Years of Employment Criteria But Was Not Enrolled in SMU Medical Coverage During the 5-Year Period Preceding Retirement?

As long as you meet the age 60 and 10 years of employment criteria, you and your spouse/domestic partner will have access to SMU retiree health insurance, although you will not be eligible for the SMU premium subsidy.  You will, however, have access to the contributions you made and the vested contributions SMU made to your Emeriti Health Account during your active years - to pay for premiums and other eligible expenses after retirement.

What If I Decide Not To Enroll In SMU Retiree Health Insurance When I Retire?

Generally, if you decide not to enroll in SMU Retiree Health Insurance, you cannot enroll at a later time.  However, if you decide not to enroll because you have coverage under spouse/domestic partner insurance, and he/she later loses coverage, you will have an opportunity to enroll in SMU Health Insurance, although SMU will not pay the premium subsidy.

Emeriti Dental Coverage

Emeriti Dental coverage is also administered by Aetna. If you are age 60 at retirement and have at least 10 years of SMU employment, you and your spouse or domestic partner may enroll in the Emeriti Dental Plan. If you are interested in Dental coverage you must enroll in Emeriti Medical and Rx coverage.  SMU does not contribute to the cost of Dental coverage.  

  • Important:  If you are not enrolled in a Dental Plan when you retire, there will be a six month waiting period before Major dental expenses are covered under the Emeriti Dental Plan.  However, the waiting period will be waived if there is no more than a three month break in coverage and proof of prior coverage is provided.

 

For additional information regarding the Emeriti Program
please refer to the Emeriti FAQs

Emeriti 2011 Summary Plan Description

Emeriti ADV Privacy Notice